Reflect some of the ways that you want to assess your students, i.e. monitor whether they are understanding what you're teaching.
Describe your (or your CT's) grading policy, i.e. how you will assign scores to represent performance. Explain why you are using this method. If you are continuing your CT's grading policy, explain what you feel are some of its strengths and weaknesses.
Narragansett Peir Middle School uses a program called Power School for teachers to record grades, and students and parents to view their grades. My CT records her grades first on hard copy, then in the computer. She keeps a paper record in case the system is down, and to keep track of such things as missing assignments. All of my CT's assessments are graded based on an earn points to total points ratio. Her final grades are determined in the same manner. She does not weigh assessments based on percentages. Her homework assignments are usually out of 5 points while quizzes can range from 20-70 points based on their size and content. If her students had trouble on a particular test, she will give them an easy ten point quiz to help them bring their grade up. My CT also does not count class participate. However, she does take it into account when determining whether or not to bump a students up from a C+ to a B-, for example. I will be continuing this grading policy during my student teaching, mainly because my teacher has been doing it this way the entire year, and the students are used to it. I actually feel this is a good grading policy. I am not a fan of weighing everything based on percentages. It creates a lot of unnecessary extra work. You end up doing the same thing, when you assign different types of assignments different point values. I feel that this way is also good when grades need to be "tweaked". It is convenient for adding in extra points.
I will assess my students in the same ways that my CT does. I will monitor their understanding through class discussions, and little formative assessments such as homework and classwork. I will also use informal assessment strategies during labs and activities to assess their understanding. I will walk around to the students and ask them questions and monitor their work to determine their levels of understanding.
Journal Entry: Assessment and Grading
Name: Britta Leigh- Reflect some of the ways that you want to assess your students, i.e. monitor whether they are understanding what you're teaching.
- Describe your (or your CT's) grading policy, i.e. how you will assign scores to represent performance. Explain why you are using this method. If you are continuing your CT's grading policy, explain what you feel are some of its strengths and weaknesses.
Narragansett Peir Middle School uses a program called Power School for teachers to record grades, and students and parents to view their grades. My CT records her grades first on hard copy, then in the computer. She keeps a paper record in case the system is down, and to keep track of such things as missing assignments. All of my CT's assessments are graded based on an earn points to total points ratio. Her final grades are determined in the same manner. She does not weigh assessments based on percentages. Her homework assignments are usually out of 5 points while quizzes can range from 20-70 points based on their size and content. If her students had trouble on a particular test, she will give them an easy ten point quiz to help them bring their grade up. My CT also does not count class participate. However, she does take it into account when determining whether or not to bump a students up from a C+ to a B-, for example. I will be continuing this grading policy during my student teaching, mainly because my teacher has been doing it this way the entire year, and the students are used to it. I actually feel this is a good grading policy. I am not a fan of weighing everything based on percentages. It creates a lot of unnecessary extra work. You end up doing the same thing, when you assign different types of assignments different point values. I feel that this way is also good when grades need to be "tweaked". It is convenient for adding in extra points.I will assess my students in the same ways that my CT does. I will monitor their understanding through class discussions, and little formative assessments such as homework and classwork. I will also use informal assessment strategies during labs and activities to assess their understanding. I will walk around to the students and ask them questions and monitor their work to determine their levels of understanding.